An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A steeply rising radial profile (→ cusp) in the number density of stars in the central region of a galaxy resulting from the gravitational influence of a central → supermassive black hole, as predicted by theoretical models. An important assumption of all cusp formation models is that the stellar cluster is in dynamical equilibrium in the black hole potential. This radial profile is usually characterized by a power law of the form n(r) ∝ r^-γ, with a slope that is steeper than that of a flat isothermal → core. For a single-mass stellar cluster, Bahcall & Wolf (1976) determined the dynamically relaxed cusp will have γ = 7/4. The presence of such a cusp is important observationally because it may represent a simple test for black holes in stellar systems where dynamical mass estimates are difficult, such as in the cores of galaxies. In the case of the Milky Way, several attempts have been done to probe the presence of such a stellar cusp. However, the presence of the cusp is not confirmed. For example, based on the late-type stars alone, Do et al. (2009, ApJ 703, 1323), show that γ is less than 1.0 at the 99.7% confidence level. This is consistent with the nuclear star cluster having no cusp, with a → core profile that is significantly flatter than that predicted by most cusp formation theories, and even allows for the presence of a central hole in the stellar distribution (See also Genzel et al., 2010, Rev.Mod.Phys. 82, 3121, also at astro-ph/1006.0064).

→ stellar; → cusp.

The field of astrophysics that describes systems of many → point mass particles whose mutual gravitational interactions determine their orbits. Theses systems include → star clusters, → globular clusters, and galaxies (→ galaxy) consisting of about 10²-10³, 10⁴-10⁶, and up to about 10¹² members respectively. Stellar dynamics deals with systems in which each member contributes importantly to the overall gravitational field and is usually concerned with the statistical properties of many orbits. It can be compared to the → kinetic theory of gases developed in the late 19th century. In contrast, → celestial mechanics deals with systems where the gravitational force of a massive planet or star determines the orbits of its satellites.

→ stellar; → dynamics.

The gradual changes in physical state (spectrum, luminosity, temperature) and chemical composition that occurs during the life of a star.

→ stellar; → evolution.

The process whereby large quantities of → energy and → momentum are released into the gas surrounding → star formation regions in galaxies. More specifically, → massive stars inject → energy, → mass, and → metals back to the → interstellar medium through → stellar winds and → supernova explosions. Feedback inhibits further star formation either by removing gas from the galaxy, or by heating it to temperatures that are too high to form new stars. Observations reveal feedback in the form of → galactic-scale outflows of gas in galaxies with high → star formation rates, especially in the → early Universe. Feedback in faint, low-mass galaxies (→ low-mass galaxy) probably facilitated the escape of ionizing radiation from galaxies when the Universe was about 500 million years old, so that the hydrogen between galaxies changed from neutral to ionized, a process called → reionization (Dawn K. Erb, 2015, Nature, 9 July).

→ stellar; → feedback.

That part of a star which lies below the photosphere.

→ stellar; → interior.

The total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit time. According to the → Stefan-Boltzmann law, the stellar luminosity is given by: L_* = 4πR_*²σT_eff⁴, where R_* is radius, σ is the → Stefan-Boltzmann constant, and T_eff is → effective temperature. A star's luminosity depends, therefore, on two factors, its size and its surface temperature. Stellar luminosity is measured either in ergs per second or in units of → solar luminosity or in → absolute magnitude. See also → luminosity class.

→ stellar; → luminosity.

The → magnetic field associated with a star. Magnetic fields are common among stars of solar and lower masses. So far definitive detections of fields in stars with masses ~1.5 Msun have, for the most part, been made for objects having anomalous chemical abundances (e.g., the → chemically peculiar A and B stars). Recently, however, observations of cyclic variability in the properties of → stellar winds from luminous → OB stars have been interpreted as evidence for the presence of large-scale magnetic fields in the surface layers and atmospheres of these objects (→ magnetic massive star). These inferences have been bolstered by the unambiguous measurement of a weak (~ 360 G) field in the chemically normal B1 IIIe star → Beta Cephei. These results suggest that magnetic fields of moderate strength might be more prevalent among → hot stars than had previously been thought. At the present time, the origin of magnetism in massive stars is not well understood. If the magnetic field of a hot star is produced by → dynamo effect in the → convective core, then a mechanism for transporting the field to the stellar surface must be identified. The finite electrical conductivity of the envelope leads to the outward diffusion of any fields contained therein, but only over an extended period of time. Estimates indicate that for stars more massive than a few solar masses, the resistive diffusion time across the radiative interior exceeds the → main sequence lifetime. Another possibility is that dynamo fields are advected from the core to the surface by rotation-induced → meridional circulation (MacGregor & Cassinelli, 2002, astro-ph/0212224).

→ stellar; → magnetic; → field.

1) The quantity of mass contained in a star. It is usually expressed in terms of the → solar mass (Msun).
2) A component of the total mass of a → galaxy represented by the mass of all its stars.

→ stellar; → mass.

The metallicity derived from observations of stars in galaxies. It is mainly based on spectral → absorption lines in → ultraviolet (UV) and optical ranges. Stellar metallicity is a direct measure of the amount of metals in a galaxy, since large part of heavy elements lies in its stars.

→ stellar; → metallicity.

The → nuclear reaction process taking place inside stars, whereby → chemical elements are produced from pre-existing nuclei heavier than → hydrogen and → helium.

→ stellar; → nucleosynthesis.

Any of a class of → astronomical objects which is thought to evolve into a → star or is a descendant of a star.

→ stellar; → object.

The apparent → difference in the → position of a → celestial object as seen by an → observer from two widely separated → locations. The parallax of an object can be used to derive its → distance. The relationship between the → parallax angle  p (measured in seconds of arc) and the distance d (measured in → astronomical units) is given by d = 206,264 / p. For a parallax angle p = 1'', the distance to the star would correspond to 206,264 AU. By convention, the distance unit → parsec is defined to be equivalent to 206,264 AU. Therefore, the parallax relation takes the much simpler form: d (in pc) = 1/p (in seconds of arc). The first star whose parallax was measured was → 61 Cygni (Bessel, 1838).
See also:
→ annual parallax, → diurnal parallax, → dynamical parallax, → geocentric parallax, → heliocentric parallax, → horizontal parallax, → lunar parallax, → mean parallax, → parallactic ellipse, → parsec, → photometric parallax, → secular parallax, → solar parallax, → spectroscopic parallax, → statistical parallax, → trigonometric parallax.

→ stellar; → parallax.

The precise measurement of a star's brightness, usually through several specific wavelength bands.

→ stellar; → photometry.

Same as → stellar astrophysics.

→ stellar; → physics.

→ Population I star; → Population II star.

→ stellar; → population.

A theoretical model that reconstructs the integrated spectrum of → stellar populations from an empirical library of stellar spectra containing the range of types expected to be present in the sample. The light received from a given galaxy is emitted by a large number of stars that may have different masses, ages, and metallicities. Stellar population synthesis models are tools for interpreting the integrated light that we observe from the galaxies.

→ stellar; → population; → model.

The expansion of a star followed by contraction so that its → surface temperature and → luminosity undergo periodic variation. Pulsation starts with a loss of → hydrostatic equilibrium, when, for example, a layer contracts. This layer heats up and becomes more opaque to radiation. Therefore, radiative diffusion slows down through the layer because of its increased → opacity and heat increases beneath it. Hence pressure rises below the layer. Eventually this increase in pressure starts to push the layer out. The layer expands, cools and becomes more transparent to radiation. Energy now escapes from below the layer and the pressure beneath the layer drops. The layer falls inward and the cycle starts over. See also → kappa mechanism; → gamma mechanism; → partial ionization zone; → pulsating star; → valve mechanism.

→ stellar; → pulsation.

The spinning of a star about its axis, due to its angular momentum. Stars do not necessarily rotate as solid bodies, and their angular momentum may be distributed non-uniformly, depending on radius or latitude.Thus the equator of the star can rotate at a different angular velocity than the higher latitudes. These differences in the rate of rotation within a star may have a significant role in the generation of a stellar magnetic field.

→ stellar; → rotation.

A physical model that describes the internal arrangement of a star in detail and makes detailed predictions about the luminosity, the color, and the future evolution of the star.

→ stellar; → structure.

A set of → differential equations describing the physical properties of stars based on two main assumptions: a star is a perfect sphere and the net force on a macroscopic mass element is zero. If the effects of rotation and magnetism are ignored, these assumptions lead to a set of five differential equations.

→ stellar; → structure; → equation.